488 Squadron at Kallang

[k8purvis]

Hi,
I am new to this forum. I was recently given a photocopy of my grandfather's journal which he kept from the time he left Rongotai on Sept 11, 1941, throughout his time at Kallang in Singapore and up to his evacuation to Perth via Batavia.
He was groundcrew serving with the 488 squadron and I am trying to locate any photos that might be around. I realise that due to censorship, etc that my search is not very likely to find any, but it is worth trying.
His details were: Grantham Noel (L.A.C.) McGill-Nutt NZ 39486
I am also looking for any info on or photos of his brother who served as a pilot with the RAF in England. I have found a photo of his war grave at Bassingbourn, but that is all. His details were Sergeant G J McGill-Nutt 391665

[errolmartyn]

From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume One: Fates 1915-1942)':

Wed 15 Oct 1941
Bomber Command
Night flying practice
11 Operational Training Unit, RAF (Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire - 6 Group)
Wellington IC T2556 - lost flying speed after an overshoot at 2035, crashed and caught fire. One of the crew survived, injured, but his three comrades died, including the pilot, who is buried in the Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth Cemetery. Deteriorating weather conditions, which earlier in the day had curtailed commencement of the training programme, were thought to have been a factor in the accident.
Pilot: NZ391665 Sgt Gordon James McGILL-NUTT, RNZAF - Age 20. 159hrs (86 solo - 2 on Wellington)

And Vol Three (Biographies & Appendices):

McGILL-NUTT, Sergeant Gordon James.
NZ391665 (prev A391665); b Marton 17 Oct 20; Wgtn Coll; photographer - A W Blake, Wgtn. NZ Army/TF (NZMC) 3 yrs; RNZAF Levin/RTS as Medical Orderly 6 Dec 39, HQ Levin 18 Dec 39, RTS 29 Feb 40, 2FTS 5 Mar 40, 1FTS 1 Jun 40, Harewood 11 Sep 40, ITW 19 Jan 41, remust as Airman Pilot u/t 20 Jan 41, 3EFTS 2 Mar 41, 2FTS 12 Apr 41, Pilots Badge [wef 2.6.41] & Sgt 5 Jul 41, att RAF & emb for UK 22 Jul 41, 3PRC 2 Sep 41, 11OTU (Wellington) 16 Sep 41, kaa 15 Oct 41. Bassingbourn Cum Kneesworth Cemetery - CC.7, Cambs., England. Son of John Charles & Louisa Margaret McGill-Nutt (née Donnelly), Ngaio, Wgtn. [phot. TWN 29.10.41].

TWN = The Weekly News, there being a small photo of him in the illustrated section of the issue for 29 Oct 41. A scan of the photo can be obtained from the air force museum: [e-mail]
You could also ask them about their photograph holdings regarding 488 Squadron, etc.

Also this information from an appendix in Vol Three:

Among the hundreds of airmen who left Auckland on the 22 July 1941 aboard the Dominion Monarch for Halifax (arriving 16 Aug 41) and Liverpool (arriving 2 Sep 1941) were 118 RNZAF pilots disembarking Liverpool for service with the RAF:
Died: Barker, R P W; Baxter, L H; Beale, H H B; Beattie, W S; Benefield, V D; Blease, J T; Brandon, W J; Brownlie, W; Bussell, H C; Chambers, G P; Corby, A W; Creed, F H; Crowther, W R; Dale, G E; Dempsey, D J; Fraser, A A; Grant, D I; Grevatt, J J J; Haden, F S; Hamilton, R A; Hay, B H; Haynes, O; Holmes, N R; Jenner, A J; Kauter, W L; Knobloch, D L; Lincoln, L J H; Lincoln, S H; McAdam, K L; McCarthy, J J N; McCarthy, L H R; McGill-Nutt, G J; McKenzie, R G J; Medwin, I G; Mee, L G; Meyer, N R; Mitchell, S S; Mortimore, S H; Parker, A E; Partridge, F S; Paul, T K; Pepper, T B; Philip, K C; Piercy, F A; Randall, M W; Roughton, H G; Sachtler, E W; Sanderson, A L; Saundercock, H L; Shrimpton, T W; Spence, C R; Stewart, J G; Stone, I S; Stone, R F; Sutherland, N J; Taaffe, R J; Taylor, G L; Thurston, W G D; Urwin, R W; Usher, B; Vincent, J N; Wacher, D W; Wagstaff, E G; Watson, R J; Williams, B C; Younie, L T; (66)
Survived: Andrews, K P; Bateman, J F; Bowling, R*; Brain, R E*; Brown, D St C; Brown, W A; Carter, L J; Checketts, J M; Cochrane, J M; Coddington, R W; Cresswell, N A; Dempsey, R J; Ferri, A R B; Finlayson, P W D; Gray, E L; Gregory, K H*; Gunning, S H; Herron, J D M*; Hetherton, J A; Holmes, N C; Hooker, C O; Keane, J F; Kennedy, R J; Keys, J; King, N R; King, R W*; Kissel, J F G; Laird, A R; Malthus, L G; McDonald, C A; McGregor, P N; McKeown, W T*; Meares, W M; Moors, L G; Mueller, K J; Palmer, F J M; Papps, C E; Robinson, R E; Sanders, J E; Saville, J H*; Sellar, W M; Sharland, C; Sharp, C E*; Sharplin, P M; Spain, B S; Spear, R B (hospitalised at Halifax); Stewart, D R; Stewart, T A*; Sullivan, A C; Tidy, W B; Watkins, N D; Wheeler, A B; (52).
* = PoW

And this regarding grandfather:

11 Sep 41 Tasman Wellington-Singapore, arr 10 Oct.
RNZAF for att to RAF: 20 Pilots (for 488 Sqn RNZAF)
died: Burton, J F; Charters, C D*; Cox, E W; Craig, A G; De Maus, W R; Farr, L R; McAneny, K J; Meharry, H J; Sharp, N C; White, G P*; (10)
survived: Clow, D L; Godsiff, J C; Greenhalgh, W J; Honan, T W; Johnstone, F S; Killick, P E E; Kuhn, E E G*; MacIntosh, W J N*; Meaclem, V E; Pettit, H S*; (10).

79 ground staff of various trades (for 488 Sqn RNZAF) –
died: Anderson, I V S; Yanovich, I T; (2)
survived: Alexander, R A; Anstis, W G; Appleby, B T; Ashley-Jones, H O; Barrie, A; Bennett, L I S; Binns, O S; Boddy, J R; Cameron, C G; Chadwick, H W; Chandler, W A; Clancey, G W E; Clayton, A L M; Craighead, B G; De Suza, E W; Dunn, A J; Fenwick, G H; Fitzgerald, J I; Flynn, L V A; Franks, C W; Friend, R; Grindrod, B; Guiniven, S N; Guthrie, M W; Halkett, C F; Hall, F T; Hall, R L; Harman, M J; Hawtin, A E; Helmore, J C; Herbert, B R; Hill, C G; Hocken, G K; Howard-Taylor, W A; Innes-Jones, E A S; Jackson, A; Jackson, L J; Law, E H; Linton, J B; Mackie, G M; Maher, S; Mahony, D W; McGill-Nutt, G N; Montgomerie, I H de G; Morgan, F J C; Moulynox, J A; Nelson, H F; Nixon, R E R; O'Connell, T M; Ogilivie, R N; Patterson, E H; Patterson, J E S; Payne, H A; Payne, S A; Pentecost, W R; Pharazyn, D H; Ragg, E L; Randall, C W A; Ranson, F G; Rees, J; Rough, J L; Russell, H C; Sager, J H; Sigley, L G; Smart, S; Stephenson, R N; Stevenson, F; Stevenson, W E; Stoodley, L J; Stringer, S G; Swallow, F H; Thompson, H G; Thompson, L D; Treanor, D A; Wahlberg, N P; Welsh, T L; West, E J; (77).

Have you thought to request a photocopy of the papers that survive on their RNZAF service records as held by Personnel Archives, New Zealand Defence Force, at Trentham? Further details here: www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum k8 (Kate?). What a treasure that must be to have. If you can find the book Singapore Harriers by Frank McCarthy he was one of the chaps serving with your grandfather, he took lots of photos and he wrote the book from his own journal. It's hard to find, limited run, but you should be able to order it through interloan from the National Library.

Sadly it's not a great quality reproduction book, it is photocopied and done in the late 1980's or so. I wonder where his very historic photos ended up - do you have any idea Errol if they have ended up at Wigram? I hope they are in a safe archive somewhere. I'd love to see the book reprinted with modern reproduction standards.

[Dave Homewood]

I pointed out this thread to Graham Clayton who wrote the excellent history of the squadron called "Last Stand in Singapore" which is still available at Whitcoulls if you don't yet have a copy.

He asked me to put his email here for you to get in touch with him. It's [e-mail]

Graham told me, "It would be great to get a look at her notes ! I have only just come off the phone from speaking to the son of one of the original 488 Squadron members who were put on to me by Random House. I really enjoy the contacts and generally link them up with my Dad who has a great memory for his old mates. He would almost certainly remember your Forum members Grandfather."

I really reckon you need to contact Graham as he's quite an expert and his father is one of the few living members of the squadron left. Cheers.

[buffnut453]

I'd be happy to chip in with my resources - I've been researching the Commonwealth Buffalo squadrons for a dozen years or more using primary source material. My email is [e-mail].

Cheers,
Mark

[ngsm21]

I'm new to this site and forum and have just found this thread. My father, LAC P E H Duffin, also served on 488 at Kallang from approx Nov 41 until Feb 42. Can anybody tell me anything about his service there, and how the NZ personnel were evacuated? I believe he eventually ended up in Fremantle before returning to NZ at the end of March 42.

[guest]

Sept 25, 2011 4:59:36 GMT 12 ngsm21 said:

I'm new to this site and forum and have just found this thread. My father, LAC P E H Duffin, also served on 488 at Kallang from approx Nov 41 until Feb 42. Can anybody tell me anything about his service there, and how the NZ personnel were evacuated? I believe he eventually ended up in Fremantle before returning to NZ at the end of March 42.

Welcome!

Here are some links, if you haven't discovered them already. Also, No 488 Wing has been established in the RNZAF at Ohakea, honouring the unit, and they may have more information that can help, as well as the RNZAF Museum at Wigram. Finally, our Master Historian and Moderator, Dave Homewood will be able to offer plenty, particularly around the personalities of the time.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._488_Squadron_RNZAF

www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2AirF-c7.html
(the whole chapter)

www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2RAF-b3-5.html

[errolmartyn]

Sept 25, 2011 4:59:36 GMT 12 ngsm21 said:

I'm new to this site and forum and have just found this thread. My father, LAC P E H Duffin, also served on 488 at Kallang from approx Nov 41 until Feb 42. Can anybody tell me anything about his service there, and how the NZ personnel were evacuated? I believe he eventually ended up in Fremantle before returning to NZ at the end of March 42.

The following exerpt from my trilogy For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices) might be of interest:

21 Oct 41 Maetsuycker Wellington-Singapore, arr 13 Nov.
RNZAF for att to RAF: 25 Pilots – died: Clark, W N; Horrocks, D R; Mather, R H; MacGregor, R B L (i/c of draft); McDonald, I A R; (5) –
survived: Annand, G W; Gudsell, G E; Haydon, L A; Hayes, J T; Hemus, A R; Hitchcock, G C; Honeyfield, W; Levien, H G; Lowe, E R, McCarthy, R W; McHugh, N J; Mingins, D G; Mullooly, P D; Peart, R J; Phillips, W C; Reynolds, J B; Snell, F B; Thompson, F R; Whittall, R P; Whitwell, F D; (20).
62 ground staff of various trades (for 488 Sqn RNZAF [except for 3?]) – died: Newton, M T; (1) –
survived: Adcock, J R; Arden, L E; Baker, L J; Bentley, J W; Black, L; Boyd, T M; Burgess, R E; Callender, W R; Chittock, A W; Cleaver, D O R; Copeland, L G; Cox, C R; Croskery, J C; Duffin, P E H; Edlin, R H; Elliffe, S M; Ewart, J; Foster, M; Gardiner, H F; Gibbons, T; Gilfillan, K N; Gourlay, R E; Hair, D W; Hall, F K; Hallins, W J; Hargreaves, W D; Hart, F E; Hazle, C S; Jamieson, R; Johnston, R B; Lang, R J; Lee, M K; Maloney, W B; Mant, J B; McCormack, M J; McKay, W N A; McKenna, E F; Murray, W N; Myers, M R; Newcombe, R K; Norman, A F; Oakey, V A B; Rhodes, S W; Robins, J T; Rowe, J B; Schultz, J W; Snook, R W F; St George, R S; Stringer, D H; Thompson, D F; Tutty, C H; Underwood, V M; Vyle, A L; Webby, C H; Weckesser, D W; Welch, W D; Wells, S W; White, A E; Whitehouse, B G; Wilson, D E; Wright, R J; (61).

Your father also features in Gp Capt Colin Hanson's By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999:

DUFFIN, Squadron Leader Patrick Emmett Hugh, MBE.
NZ39092 & 70544; Born Auckland, 15 Dec 1920; RNZAF 20 Sep 1939 to (das) 9 Sep 1969; Aircrafthand (Disciplinarian), then General Service Training.
Citation Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (QB1962): Not available. From Dec [sic - should read Nov] 1941 LAC Duffin served on the ground staff with 488 Sqn RNZAF in Singapore and Java, being evacuated in Feb 1942. 488 Sqn History records that - “at RAF Kallang, on 22 Jan 1942 at 1115 hours, four aircraft were ordered off but were too late and Japanese bombs started to rain down...LAC Duffin showed great courage in putting out a fire in the ammunition store.” Following evacuation and repatriation to NZ he served, from Sep 1942 to May 1943, as a Sgt with 3 Sqn RNZAF (Hudson) at Guadalcanal (acting as Sqn W/O) and at Espiritu Santo, as Station W/O. On return to NZ he became a Drill & Weapons Training Instructor at RNZAF Linton before moving to the Auckland Wing of the Air Training Corps as an instructor. From 1950 until 1963 F/S, later Flt Lt Duffin served at Taieri, Whenuapai and Wigram on General Service Training duties. From 1957 to 1963 he was a senior instructor at the NCOs School (Taieri and Wigram) and it was primarily for his dedicated service in this regard that he was awarded the MBE. Died Auckland, 9 Sep 1969.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome ngsm21,

Again I would seriously recommend you get in touch with Graham Clayton, whose email I posted above, and I highly recommend you read his book 'Last Stand in Singapore' as that details exactly what happened to all the squadron members and their escapes.

[ngsm21]

Thank you for the information. I'm overwhelmed by the helpfulness of the respondents. I've tried to see the original F540 at Kew, but it was unavailable when I was there. I'll try following up the leads and see where they go.